Water-softening apparatus



1,677,891 w. H. GREEN A WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Jul 24, 1928.

Filed Aug 21. 1926 A W My Green, I 766651- Y I I Patented July 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER H. GREEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ZEOLITE COMIANY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

A CORPORATION OF IL I OIS.

WATER-SOFTENING APPARATUS.

Application filed August 21, 1926. Serial No. 130,755.

This invention relates to apparatus especially useful in processes involving zeolitic or base exchange action, the most notable example of which is water softening.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having a minimum of parts, which shall occupy a minimum of space, and shall be extremely simple of installation and operation. The invention will probably find its greatest degree of usefulness in connection with water softeners designed for domestic use.

One of the noteworthy features of the invention is the provision of a novel arrangement of parts whereby the operation of brining or regeneration of the zeolites may be conducted in a simple fashion without any involved manipulation of valves without the necessity of exercising extraordinary care in the handling of the material and apparatus and without utilization of a separate regenerating solution preparation unit.

A preferred form of apparatus embodying the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are offered for the purpose of aiding in the explanation of the invention and are not to be construed in any sense as a limitation upon the scope of the protection which I seek through the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a vertical sectional view through the center of an apparatus embodyin'i the invention;

ig. 2 is a detail of the cover cap; and

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

The apparatus comprises a cylindrical casing 10 having rounded end members 11 and 12, the former having a central opening therein and the latter having a screw plug 13 at the bottom to permit of complete drainage of the casing.

Projecting through and tightly fitting within the opening in the upper end member 11, is a cylinder 14; which terminates short of the bottom of the casing and which carries at its lower end a plate or diaphragm 15. The diaphragm has a central opening 16 therethrough and a plurality of smaller perforations 17," fairly evenly distributed over its surface. Within the cylinder and a short distance above the diaphragm a stiif screen or perforated plate 18 is mounted. A layer of gravel 19 is disposed on the screen. Gravel is similarly disposed onthe upper surface of the diaphragm 15 and within the annular chamber 20 to provide a suitable supporting bed for the zeolites 21. The top of the cylinder is covered by acap member 22, which is provided with a swinging lid 23 and a pivoted clamping member 24 which cooperate under the influence of the thumb screw 25 to provide a Water-tight seal. The

inlet pipe 26 conducts fresh water to the top softening water, and in order to regenerate them, it is merely necessary to close the valve 31 in the inlet pipe 26, open the cap '23 and shovel or pour the required amount of dry salt into the mouth of the cylinder. This being done, the cap is again closed, valves 32 and 33 changed and valve 31 opened, whereupon the fresh water coming through pipe 26 will dissolve and carry the salt down through the screen 18, the openings 1'6 and 17 of the diaphragm, up through the zeolites and out through pipes 27 and 29 to waste. Without further manipulation of the valves the continuing flow of fresh water will wash the zeolites and dilute and remove the brine. After the washing has been completed it is merely necessary to reverse the valves 32 and 33 to procure a new supply of softened water.

It is to be observed that for the complete operation of the softener provided by this invention, only three valves are required to carry on the entire cycle of operations, that the extra salt pot or separate means for preparing a regenerating solution, with the consequent piping and valve arrangement necessary to introduce the prepared salt solution into the casing, which heretofore has been-a part of the standard equipment of zeolite Water softeners are eliminated, and

that it is possible to utilize the preferred upward flow through the zeolites of water to member exten ing through the top of the- 1 possibility of eliminatin ever, to the size and positioning of the perforations immediately at the center of the diaphragm.

I claim:

1. Zeolite water softening apparatus com prising a casing having a central cylindrical member, said member having a perforated bottom and a. removable cover and being adapted tohold salt for regenerative purposes, a fresh water inlet discharging into the cylindrical member, and zeolites dis-.

posed in the annular chamber between the walls of the casing and the member.

2. Zeolite water softening apparatus com prising a casin having a central cylindrical casing and resting upon a perforated diaphragm near the bottom, a pervlous support for salt Within the cylindrical member,

zeolites in the casing and a fresh water inlet discharging into the member.

\ 3. Zeolite water softening apparatus comprising a casing having a central cylindrical member extending through the top of the casing and connected at its lower end to a perforated diaphragm, zeolites disposed on the diaphragm. a fresh water inlet. discharging into' the central member, an outlet from the upper portion of the casing and a removable'cov'er on the member, the latter being adapted to receive salt required for [regenerative purposes.

4. Zeolite water softening apparatus comprising-a casing, a salt receptacle within the casing, said receptacle comprising a cylinder having. an exterior removable cover and a perforated lower portion terminating in the bottom of the casing, zeolites within the casing, afresh water inlet discharging into the receptacle and an outlet from the top of th casing.

5. Zeolite water softening apparatus comprising a casing, a salt receptacle within the casing, said receptacle comprising a cylinder having an exterior removable cover and a perforated lower portion terminating in the bottom of the casing, zeolites within the casing, means for introducing water for' treatment of, andv by, the zeolites into the receptacle and an outlet at the top of the casing.

6. Zeolite water softening apparatus comprising a casing, a salt receptacle within the casing, said receptacle comprising a cylin-' der having an exterior removable cover and a perforated lower portion terminating in the bottom of the casing, zeolites within the casing, means for introducing into the receptacle fresh water to be softened, to dissolve thesalt into a regenerative solution and to wash the zeolites, and a common outlet at the top of the casing.

7. Water'softening apparatus comprising a casing, a tubular salt receptacle therein opening at one end adjacent to the bottom of the casing and at the other end exterior to the casing and having a closure member exterior to the casing, said receptacle serving as a conduit for water to be treated, and a bed of base exchange material withinthe casing and surrounding the receptacle.

8. Water softening apparatus comprising a casing, an elongated receptacle therein having. its lower end adjacent to the bottom of the casing and its upper end without the casing, said receptacle servin as an inlet conduit for water to be treated. and a layer of base exchange material within the casing around the receptacle.

9. A Zeolite water softening apparatus comprising a casing having a central cham ber extending throughout the greater part ofits height, saidcentral'chamber having a removable cover and being adapted to hold salt for regenerative purposes, a fresh water inlet discharging into the central'chamber, and zeolites disposed in the annular chamber between the wallsv of the casing and the central chamber.

In testimony whereof I subscribed my name.

have hereunto 

